Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren's Weekly Radio Address (in Diné Bizaad)

Thursday, June 11, 2026

1. Introduction

2. Voter Registration Deadline

Today, June 11, is the last day to register for the upcoming Navajo Nation election
Required: CIB, Social Security card, and driver's license
Election Administration offices: Eastern Navajo 505-786-2183, Fort Defiance 928-871-7268, Chinle 928-674-2551, Western 928-283-3220, Northern 505-368-1333

3. Local Announcements

Missing person: Kelsey Yazzie, 36, male, last seen May 29, 2026, in Pinon, AZ; Chinle Police District 928-674-2111
Located: Pearl Duncan has been found and is safe

4. Frequently Asked Question of the Week

If you see smoke or a wildfire, report it immediately and stay clear; no roadside photos or drones, which interfere with firefighting aircraft
Business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.): BIA/Navajo Forestry, (928) 729-2307
After hours: Navajo Police Dispatch (928) 871-6111, 6112, or 6113, or BIA Fire Management Dispatch (928) 205-3459; in an emergency call 911

5. Life Lesson

Growth takes time: as planting season continues in Ya'iishjááshchilí, crops, goals, and relationships need patience, dedication, and effort
The most important growth happens where we cannot see it; trust the process and keep nurturing what you planted

6. Accomplishments

Division of Economic Development Summit, Twin Arrows: Navajo Artisan and Small Business hardship grants reached 117 businesses and 432 artisans ($5,000 to $60,000); SSBCI provides $88.7 million and DED financing up to $20 million via Change Labs, Trans Pecos Bank, and partners
Tourism: La Quinta Shonto Hotel opens this year, the $22.5 million Shiprock Pinnacle Hotel underway, and Goulding's Lodge supports 300-plus Navajo jobs, $7 million anticipated annually
Infrastructure: broadband funding secured, over 2,000 families connected to electricity, over 1,000 to water, 5 wastewater and water treatment facilities underway
$35 million ARPA E911 and Rural Addressing Project: visited the Kayenta Next Generation 911 dispatch center; 110 chapters mapped, 72,490 address points, 6.89 million GPS points; Kayenta anticipated by August 2026, Shiprock Incident Command Center by November 2026
Visited a Thoreau family's new home: over $100 million for 436-plus homes via the Community Housing and Infrastructure Department and Housing Improvement Program; NTUA, NECA, and partners completing utility connections
Dark Winds set visit: met actors Zahn McClarnon and Jessica Matten and executive producers Chris Eyre and Tina Elmo

7. Major Projects

$226,220.07 awarded to Four Season's Construction, LLC for Newcomb Chapter House roof repair and renovations within 365 calendar days
10th Annual Navajo Education Conference, June 5, Navajo Nation Museum, with Fielding Graduate University; scholarships doubled from $3.5 million to $7 million, plus a proposed education trust fund
$49,000 to Little Foot Construction, LLC for Becenti Chapter Multipurpose Building security and energy efficiency upgrades, anticipated by September 30, 2027

8. Meet and Greets

Office of Diné Youth Summer Kick Off, Fort Defiance: basketball clinics, field day, skateboarding, arts and crafts, and open gym
Navajo Mountain Community Health Center: toured the clinic and thanked staff
Shoutout: Al White of Rock Point, Beshbetoh Rodeo

9. Upcoming Events

Tuesday, June 16: Job and Training Expo, Chinle High School Gymnasium, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: employment, education, resume, and skills presentations; resource booths; speaker Cody Jesus
Info: NDCFS.org or Gayla James at gayla.james@ndcfs.org

10. Closing: Thank you and tune in next week!

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This audio program and description are produced by the Navajo Nation Office of the President, which is responsible for its content.

Content Coordination: Kristin Carl and OPVP Media Team

Audio Editor: Byron C. Shorty